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Friday, November 14, 2008

Multiple Choice: From Sample to Product

The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum website provides this online version of their exhibition, `Multiple Choice: From Sample to Product' which was held from 9 November 2007 to 10 September 2008. Sample books that contain examples of a product or technique have been around "for more than 300 years for the merchandizing and recording of design alternatives in many areas of the decorative arts, including wallcoverings, ceramics, and textiles". This website provides an introduction on the origin of the sample book, and includes images of samples of tableware, interior decoration, textiles and fashion, as well as paper and colour, to which is added a glossary of relevant terms. A video is also provided of a late 18th century to early 19th century French salesman's sample book, which featured in the exhibition. The Curator of the exhibition, Sarah Scaturro, has contributed a blog to this website.Link: http://cooperhewitt.org/EXHIBITIONS/multiple_choice/site/Access:Free